Sylvanus Kidder (1891-1983) WWI Veteran

Sylvanus KIDDER served during the 1st World War. In 1917, Sylvanes Kidder left behind his home a 40-acre farm on C.R. 8 in Elkhart, Indiana known as "The Ranch" by friends and family, to fight in World War I. From 1917 to 1920, Sylvanes served in France and Germany, bringing fresh horses to the front lines. Sylvanes Kidder fancied himself a cowboy, so the task suited him.
He married 12 June 1920, Olga ESKILSSON, they had 8 children.

HENRY KENDALL KIDDER (1841-1863) Killed in Action

HENRY KENDALL KIDDER at twenty-one years of age enlisted at Concord, NH, 12 August 1862, in the 12th New Hampshire Infantry, Company D, during the Civil War. Henry KIDDER was “Killed in Action”, at the Battle of Chancellorsville, VA, on Sunday, 3 May 1863. His brother Uriah Hill KIDDER, same regiment and company was at his side when he received a wound in the head, which killed him instantly. Henry Kendall KIDDER was lying on the ground just before advancing into battle when Henry KIDDER raised his head to get a better view of the field, he was fatally struck. He was among the 1,606 Union men killed in action at the Battle of Chancellorsville, VA.
He gave the following at induction height six feet, dark complexion, brown hair, brown eyes, and occupation blacksmith.
His parents were Joseph KIDDER and Dorcas NELSON.

ZOLA MAE KIDDER - Served during WWII

ZOLA MAE KIDDER enlisted in the Navy Waves and was called to active duty in Feb. 1943. Following boot camp, Zola KIDDER was sent to Norman, Oklahoma where she was trained to be an Aviation Machinist Mate. From there she went to Whiting Air Force Training Base, Pensacola, FL where she served as “plane captain“. Zola KIDDER was sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1945, then to Guam. In November of 1945, she was discharged with the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class.
Zola Mae Kidder married Henry Morrison KNOBLOCK in 1947, they had five children.
She was the daughter of Eugene Ransom Kidder and Grace Lilly.

Killed in France during 1st World War

HARVEY W. KIDDER (27 Mar. 1896 - 16 Oct. 1918)

Harvey W. KIDDER born at Marshfield, WI, on 27 March 1896. In 1917, Harvey Kidder was living in Miles City, Custer Co., MT, unmarried, working in a restaurant.
Harvey KIDDER enlisted in Montana, to serve in the Army during World War I. He was assigned to the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, rank of private. Harvey KIDDER was Killed in Action 16 Oct. 1918, buried at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Plot C Row 15 Grave 31, in the City of Romagne, France.

His mother MINNIE HART KIDDER CORLEY of Box 343, Butte, Oroville Co., MT, made a pilgrimage to his grave in 1930.

NEIL L. KIDDER - 36th Infantry - WWII

NEIL LINDEN KIDDER (22 Jan. 1923 - 17 July 1944) killed during WWII.

Neil Kidder enlisted at Kalamazoo, MI, 2 Jan. 1943, served in the 36th Infantry during WWII. Neil L Kidder is mentioned in a book “U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead (1939-1945). Neil Kidder was a private in the 36th Infantry, of the eleven military cemeteries in Europe where 3rd Armored soldiers are buried, the largest single group - 422 Spearheaders - lies in the majestic Henri-Chapelle Cemetery in Belgium (above as it looks today), in an area liberated by the Division in Sept., 1944.

Neil Kidder was married to Mildred Elaine Wolff, they had one son.

Wallace E. Kidder - US Army Ranger -

WALLACE EUGENE KIDDER ( 1922 - 1943 ) KIA at Venafro, Italy 12 Nov. 1943.

Wallace Eugene Kidder was inducted into the Army from Oregon, rank Private First Class, assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion and killed in action 12 Nov. 1943. Wallace Kidder received a medal “Purple Heart” and is buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Italy Plot I Row 7 Grave 54. The cemetery covers 77 acres, has 7,861 American military war dead. Wallace E. Kidder gave the following information at enlistment, 9 Oct. 1942, service for the duration of the war, plus six months, education, 4 years of high school, occupation was forestry, he was married, height 5’8”, weight 129.

US Navy - (DD-319) "Kidder"

United States Navy Ship (DD-319) "Kidder" was launched 10 July 1919 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., San Francisco, CA and commissioned 7 Feb. 1921, Comdr. H. J. ABBETT in command. "Kidder" was assigned to Destroyer Division 34, Battle Fleet, at San Diego. "Kidder" was decommissioned at San Diego, CA, 18 March 1930.
The Battleship was named after HUGH PRATT KIDDER, who was awarded the “Croix de Guerre” with palm and star during WWI for courage and endurance while carrying orders to advanced positions under violent machine gun fire during a period of 9 days. Lt. KIDDER was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism near Blanch Mont. France, 2nd and 3rd October 1918 when he led a small patrol into enemy trenches and captured two strong machine gun positions. First Lieutenant KIDDER was “killed in action”, 3 Oct. 1918 attempting to better his position in the face of heavy machine gun and artillery fire.

Hugh P KIDDER was born at Waukon, IA, in 1897 and died at Blanch Mont. France, 3 Oct 1918, son of Harley Perry KIDDER and Ada Kate PRATT.